Is any Avic user of any ilk using your unit in a 2007-2009 Mazda 3 Hatch?

Any installation headaches - sound problems (ground loop noise, etc), mismatches in equipment, interfacing with the Bose system?

thanks

Im using the avic F20BT (Z120BT) in my mazda 3 mps with bose. no problems what so ever. Ive yet to finish the install with the pac steering wheel controls and also hook up the vss. I didnt connect the reverse signal either.

The only minor issue is that the headunit doesnt go into night mode when I have my dash illumniation turned all the way up. I have to dim the dash a bit for the unit to detect when the headlights turn on. Not too sure if thats because I have auto headlights but no big issue.

besides that no sound issues. I've got line level outputs from the headunits connected to the factory harness so its not double amped

Im using the avic F20BT (Z120BT) in my mazda 3 mps with bose. no problems what so ever. Ive yet to finish the install with the pac steering wheel controls and also hook up the vss. I didnt connect the reverse signal either.

 

The only minor issue is that the headunit doesnt go into night mode when I have my dash illumniation turned all the way up. I have to dim the dash a bit for the unit to detect when the headlights turn on. Not too sure if thats because I have auto headlights but no big issue.

 

besides that no sound issues. I've got line level outputs from the headunits connected to the factory harness so its not double amped

very cool - if you find the VSS cable, let me know its color and location. I too have auto-lights, so the dimming thing is weird. When you say you have to dim them a "bit", is that 10% - 25%?

hook your illumination wire to an actual bulb like the cig lighter ill,or ash tray lite etc. it will work properly. ill wire is not good pwm signal jimgive me specifics on year and i can find out the rev and speed wires. jim

hook your illumination wire to an actual bulb like the cig lighter ill,or ash tray lite etc. it will work properly. ill wire is not good pwm signal jimgive me specifics on year and i can find out the rev and speed wires. jim

2007 Mazda 3 GT hatchback, 5 door, 2.3 litre auto transmission, Bose 6 speaker/sub without factory nav

thanks

hook your illumination wire to an actual bulb like the cig lighter ill,or ash tray lite etc. it will work properly. ill wire is not good pwm signal jimgive me specifics on year and i can find out the rev and speed wires. jim

cool, i'll try that. I've got a document which looks like its from an install manual and it taps into a wire behind the instrument cluster. I'll try this and report back, otherwise hopefully stoveken can give specifics

hooked the illumination wire to the ash tray light and now the headunit dims fine. thanks for that tip

I've tried to hook up the vss wire as per the instructions that's attached, but it didnt work

theres 2 possible ways according to the instructions, both utilising the 24pin connecter behind the cluster:

1) insert a pin in the 5th hole on the top from the left or

2) tap into the 2nd pin from the top left (white/red)

Although the instructions say for cars equiped with a factory navigation, I had the white/red wire even though I dont have factory nav. I tapped that wire but didn't work... I checked my connections but still no good. anyone know if this is the correct method or if theres another source?

vss_instructions.doc

hi again if it didnt work at cluster you must go outside left rear of engine compartment, abs control module. these wires will more than likely be twisted pairs at plug. rf wheel sensor wires are brown/red and white/red. lr white/blue andbrown/blue. rr brown/green andwhite/green. lf white and brown. you need the plus side. i cant tell you which is which. just get the wire out there nicely. dont short it . try one of the pairs one wire at a time. check on your connection screen. it wont hurt anything if you hook up to the neg side it just wont work. wont get a speed signal count. good luck, jim

hooked the illumination wire to the ash tray light and now the headunit dims fine. thanks for that tip

 

I've tried to hook up the vss wire as per the instructions that's attached, but it didnt work

 

theres 2 possible ways according to the instructions, both utilising the 24pin connecter behind the cluster:

 

1) insert a pin in the 5th hole on the top from the left or

2) tap into the 2nd pin from the top left (white/red)

 

Although the instructions say for cars equiped with a factory navigation, I had the white/red wire even though I dont have factory nav. I tapped that wire but didn't work... I checked my connections but still no good. anyone know if this is the correct method or if theres another source?

what year is your car, and what trim level - sport, GT etc.

hooked the illumination wire to the ash tray light and now the headunit dims fine. thanks for that tip

 

ps, is there a trick to making that .doc file open? I can't get it to open in Wordpad on Windows 7. Do you remember what it was created in?

it was created in office 07. its a picture which is why you cant use wordpad. i've attached it as a pdf which will make it easier

I have the 2008 MPS sports, which is what its called in Australia. Not too sure what it's equivalent to overseas. It comes with the bose system, HID lights and leather seats. we got 2 variants in oz, the sports (mine) and normal one which didnt get the extras.

vss_instructions.pdf

it was created in office 07. its a picture which is why you cant use wordpad. i've attached it as a pdf which will make it easier

 

I have the 2008 MPS sports, which is what its called in Australia. Not too sure what it's equivalent to overseas. It comes with the bose system, HID lights and leather seats. we got 2 variants in oz, the sports (mine) and normal one which didnt get the extras.

thanks for the resend. So, did you put a LOC between the Pioneer and the Bose amp? Someone suggested the difference in impedence might be bad for the Pioneer (if there is a difference) - any worries there?

I dont see how a putting in a LOC would do anything to the headunit. its a line OUT converter.

I didnt use one and the sound is fine if not better than before

I dont see how a putting in a LOC would do anything to the headunit. its a line OUT converter.

 

I didnt use one and the sound is fine if not better than before

and there's no impedence mis-match that could damage the head unit over time?

I think you're a bit confused from all the reading you've done.

short story, you don't need to worry about impedence especially because the bose amp will be powering the speakers. if you were to run the speakers directly off the headunit, then you will need to make sure the impedence matched.

also its best if you are using the bose system and just changing the headunit, to get line level output (RCA output) from your headunit and hook it up to the factory harness. this will make sure you are not double amping the sound, which will mean the sound will start getting loud even though the volume is only at say, 3 or 4.

I'm writing up a how to (for the Z120BT) for a forum that I'm with in Australia. Feel free to join the forums and have a read. www.ozmpsclub.com. I will put the direct link here once I'm done if you like

I think you're a bit confused from all the reading you've done.

 

short story, you don't need to worry about impedence especially because the bose amp will be powering the speakers. if you were to run the speakers directly off the headunit, then you will need to make sure the impedence matched.

 

also its best if you are using the bose system and just changing the headunit, to get line level output (RCA output) from your headunit and hook it up to the factory harness. this will make sure you are not double amping the sound, which will mean the sound will start getting loud even though the volume is only at say, 3 or 4.

 

I'm writing up a how to (for the Z120BT) for a forum that I'm with in Australia. Feel free to join the forums and have a read. http://www.ozmpsclub.com. I will put the direct link here once I'm done if you like

no confusion, but your forums sound like a good idea - the more the merrier. I look forward to the links - thanks

I think you're a bit confused from all the reading you've done.

 

short story, you don't need to worry about impedence especially because the bose amp will be powering the speakers. if you were to run the speakers directly off the headunit, then you will need to make sure the impedence matched.

 

also its best if you are using the bose system and just changing the headunit, to get line level output (RCA output) from your headunit and hook it up to the factory harness. this will make sure you are not double amping the sound, which will mean the sound will start getting loud even though the volume is only at say, 3 or 4.

 

I'm writing up a how to (for the Z120BT) for a forum that I'm with in Australia. Feel free to join the forums and have a read. http://www.ozmpsclub.com. I will put the direct link here once I'm done if you like

no confusion, but your forums sound like a good idea - the more the merrier. I look forward to the links - thanks

hook your illumination wire to an actual bulb like the cig lighter ill,or ash tray lite etc. it will work properly. ill wire is not good pwm signal jimgive me specifics on year and i can find out the rev and speed wires. jim

Do you mean ANY bulb that is activated when the headlights are?

I have the new mazdaspeed 2010. There is no ash tray bulb or w/e that I see to connect the ill wire. Any ideas where to connect it ? ?